George Kittle Ruled Out vs Bears: 49ers Star Tight End Sidelined by Lingering Ankle Sprain

George Kittle Ruled Out vs Bears: 49ers Star Tight End Sidelined by Lingering Ankle Sprain

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers will take the field against the Chicago Bears without their offensive engine, tight end George Kittle, who was officially declared inactive Sunday morning after a mid-to-low ankle sprain failed to heal in time for kickoff.

Turn of Events in the Locker Room

Less than 24 hours earlier, optimism buzzed through Levi’s Stadium. Kittle, 30, practiced on a limited basis Friday and told reporters he felt “night-and-day” better than earlier in the week. But the medical staff, concerned about re-injury on the slick grass, persuaded head coach Kyle Shanahan to err on the side of caution.

“George wanted to go—he always does,” Shanahan said in a terse statement released two hours before game time. “We’re not risking a month for one afternoon.”

Impact on Game Plan and Playoff Math

Kittle’s absence slices a critical layer from the 49ers’ passing attack. Through Week 12, the two-time Pro Bowler leads the team in third-down receptions (18) and ranks second in red-zone targets (9). Without him, quarterback Brock Purdy will lean heavily on wideouts Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, while backup tight ends Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley combine for a modest 14 catches this season.

• Kittle’s 63 catches rank third among NFL tight ends.
• His 18 explosive gains (≥16 yards) are tied for the most at his position.
• San Francisco averages 6.8 points fewer per game when Kittle sits, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The timing is brutal. At 8–3, the 49ers cling to first place in the NFC West; a loss to the 6–5 Bears would tighten the playoff picture and give surging Seattle renewed hope.

Inside the Rehab Room

Team sources describe Kittle’s injury as a Grade 2 sprain of the anterior talofibular ligament—translation: partial tearing with moderate swelling. He wore a compression boot through mid-week, then graduated to on-field jogging by Friday. The decision to hold him out was ultimately collaborative, balancing long-term health against short-term gain.

“It’s not just pain tolerance,” explained Dr. Melissa Kahn, a sports-medicine specialist unaffiliated with the team. “Re-injury risk for that ligament jumps above 30 percent if you return too early, especially for a player who cuts as violently as Kittle.”

What’s Next

The 49ers travel to face Seattle next Sunday in a pivotal division clash. Kittle told teammates he “plans to play,” but Shanahan refused to speculate, saying only that the tight end will be “re-evaluated Monday.” Fantasy managers and Bay Area fans alike now circle mid-week practice reports, hoping the league’s most complete tight end can suit up for the stretch run.